Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
Rochester is 5% more affordable than Mesa. A $75,000 salary in Mesa is equivalent to $71,212 in Rochester.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Arizona salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Mesa has a housing index of 98 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Mesa costs $350,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $195,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,350 in Mesa versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Mesa scores 99 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Mesa (95) are lower than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Mesa is $60,234 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Rochester.
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